Peppermint Tea May Improve Memory, Cognitive Function — Chamomile Tea, Not So Much

Peppermint tea may be more useful than just a refreshing way to help break up a hectic day; a new study
suggests it can also improve both short- and long-term working memory.
The research, presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual
Conference in England last week, adds yet another health benefit to
peppermint tea’s impressive resume.

For the study, researchers
from Northumbria University tested the effects of certain herbs and
scents on mood and memory. The team asked 180 volunteers to complete a
questionnaire relating to their mood and then consume a randomly chosen
hot drink — either peppermint or chamomile tea, or hot water. Twenty
minutes after finishing their drinks, the participants completed tests
meant to assess their memories among a range of other cognitive
functions. They were also asked to take another mood test, according to a
press release.

Results
showed a link between peppermint tea and enhanced mood and cognition.
Those who drank peppermint tea also exhibited improved long-term memory,
working memory, and alertness. On the other hand, volunteers given
chamomile tea experienced a calming sedative effect, which the team
noted also seemed to slow their memory recall and attention speed.

In
a second experiment, the team tested whether herbal scents could have a
measurable effect on the cognitive abilities of older individuals. This
time, the team had 150 healthy volunteers aged 65 and older sit in a
room scented with rosemary or lavender essential oils. A control group
sat in an unscented room. At the end of the experiment, volunteers were
asked to take memory tests and complete mood assessments just like the
previous group.

Once again, the herbs had affected the volunteers’
mood and memory. Those who had been put in a rosemary-scented room
showed greater memory, scoring an average 15 percent higher than those
who had been placed in an unscented room. Those placed in the
lavender-scented rooms, however, showed higher levels of calmness, which
once again seemed to worsen their memories.

Each of these herbs
have been associated with varying effects on mood and cognitive
abilities for centuries, and this study provides scientific backing to
the folklore. In addition to improving memory and alertness, peppermint
has also been associated with
reducing headache pain, nausea, gas, indigestion, colds, diarrhea, and
stomach pain. Some even suggest that sipping on peppermint tea can relieve your hangover.

Study
author Dr. Mark Moss said that while these benefits remain unproven,
they suggest peppermint could play an active role in improving our
mental performance.
“It is interesting to see the contrasting
effects that different herbs can have on both mood and memory, and our
research suggests that they could have beneficial effects, particularly
in older age groups,” Moss said in a statement. “If you were otherwise healthy, then this research suggests that there is an opportunity to have an improved memory.”